Chemical ecology of astigmatid mites--XLV. (2R, 3R)-epoxyneral: sex pheromone of the acarid mite Caloglyphus sp. (Acarina: Acaridae).

(2R,3R)-2,3-Epoxy-3,7-dimethyl-6-octenal [(2R,3R)-epoxyneral] was identified as the female sex pheromone from an acarid mite, Caloglyphus sp. (Astigmata:Acaridae), whose phoretic hypopi had been collected from the Cockchafer, Melolontha japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Sexual activity of the males was induced by exposure to a 0.1-1 ng dose of synthetic (2R,3R)-epoxyneral. The enantiomer of the pheromone, (2S,3S)-epoxyneral, was inactive and its admixture did not inhibit the activity of the natural pheromone.